The following diploma requirements apply for this programme:

• A full degree in law offering access to legal practice in the country where it was obtained, or an equivalent degree from a recognised university/law school;

• or a degree at an equivalent level in a relevant discipline with a sufficient background in law; and

• evidence of excellent academic performance.

In many European countries, students need both a Bachelor's (LL.B.) and a Master's (LL.M.) in law to become a lawyer. So, applicants from those countries should have an LL.M.

In some countries, a Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B.) is enough to start a legal career. These applicants may be accepted with just an LL.B., though we prefer to see an LL.M. as well.

It is important to emphasise that the admissions process is not a mechanical exercise. We look at each file in its entirety. For instance, if an applicant has many years of relevant working experience, we will attach less weight to the exact contents of the curriculum or the grades obtained.

The following requirements apply:

• IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 for the listening and reading components, and at least 6.5 for the speaking and writing components.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator or IELTS One Skill Retake.
     
• Cambridge English Exam: C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced with an overall score of 185, with at least 169 for the listening and reading components, and at least 176 for the speaking and writing components.
   
• *TOEFL internet based: 100 overall, with at least 20 (old scale) or 4.0 (new scale since Jan 2026) for the listening and reading components; and at least 22 (old scale) or 4.5 (new scale since Jan 2026) for the speaking and writing components. 
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only: you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in the relevant country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.
     

    *New TOEFL grading scale 2026 On 21 January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old and new grading scales. However, component scores will only be shown in the new grading scale.  Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements are still based on the old grading scale. Our component score requirements are shown in the old scale for tests taken before 21 Jan 2026,  and in the new scale for tests taken after 21 Jan 2026.

Note: English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

Exemptions

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta, or if you obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™, or if you completed an English-taught bachelor's degree at a Dutch research university.

Exemptions are not issued for Dutch pre-university (VWO) diplomas, or for English-taught degrees obtained at a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).

Still awaiting your test result?

You can apply for admission before receiving your English test result. However, if you are admitted, it will be on condition of submitting a sufficient result before the visa/residence permit deadline, or before the start of the programme if you don't need a visa or residence permit. 

Further information

For detailed information, including detailed exemption criteria and submission methods, refer to the English language proficiency information sheet. 

• A keen interest in the field of international dispute settlement and arbitration, illustrated by way of a letter of motivation and demonstrated by past professional/academic experience.
• Documented evidence of relevant (work) experience, i.e. employment or internship at a law firm, or voluntary work, illustrated by way of a detailed curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to good academic and/or professional ability. At least one letter must be written by an academic staff member, for example a lecturer or academic supervisor.